Celtic put one foot into the Champions League group stages with a 5-0 win over Astana in the first leg of their play-off at Parkhead. Returning midfielder Tom Rogic's shot in the 31st minute was helped into his own net by defender Evgeni Postnikov before attacker Scott Sinclair added a second three minutes before the interval. The former Manchester City and Aston Villa player notched his second on the hour mark with further goals from winger James Forrest and striker Leigh Griffiths - his might have taken a deflection off Igor Shitov - for a result which in no way flattered Brendan Rodgers' men. Celtic knocked the Kazakhstan side out in the third qualifying round last season on a 3-2 aggregate and only a remarkable turnaround next Tuesday in Astana will prevent a repeat. Griffiths had declared himself free of an ongoing calf complaint and Rogic came back into the midfield, while midfielder Nir Bitton was again asked to play centre-back. The home side were also backed by the return of the Green Brigade, the ultras-style fan group, which had been suspended for two games for stadium indiscretions and helped provide a fantastic atmosphere inside a packed Celtic Park. |
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